The flu, or influenza, is an extremely contagious viral infection that affects the respiratory system. Children, especially young children, are more susceptible to the flu because their immune systems have not fully formed. In fact, 20,000 children younger than 5 years old are hospitalized each year as a result of the flu, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Most children who get the flu, however, will not require medical treatment.
Symptoms
Typical symptoms of the flu in children include a high fever, sometimes as high as 103 degrees to 105 degrees Fahrenheit; fatigue; muscle aches; headaches; chills; a sore throat and a cough. Children also sometimes exhibit nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. Younger children are also more susceptible to forming serious respiratory infections such as pneumonia and bronchitis.
Duration
Most children with the flu will typically exhibit symptoms such as fever, chills and muscle aches for three of four days. However, in many children, fatigue and possibly a cough may persist for a week or more after other symptoms subside.
Treatment
Because the flu is caused by a viral infection, it cannot be treated with antibiotics as bacterial infections can. And most people with the flu will not need any specific medical treatment other than rest. Some doctors will prescribe an antiviral medication such as Tamiflu or Relenza, but these drugs are only effective if taken within a day or two of becoming sick. When a child is sick with the flu, it's important to try and keep fluid intake up to prevent dehydration. Fever-reducing medications such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen can also be given to make kids more comfortable. Remember to never give aspirin-containing products to children with a fever because of the risk of a life-threatening condition called Reye's syndrome.
Transmission
The flu is transmitted through contact with air droplets from an infected person, such as when they speak, cough or sneeze. The flu is highly contagious and can be caught both from direct contact with people who are infected and from contact with surfaces such as tables and doors that have been touched by someone infected with the flu.
Prevention
The best way to prevent your children from getting the flu is to get a flu shot. Both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend that all children between the ages of 6 months and 18 years old receive the flu shot each year at the start of flu season. Another good way to prevent the flu is to practice good hygiene, including frequently washing your hands. Children, especially, often need to be told to wash their hands. It's also a good idea to avoid people who you know to be sick.
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